The African Library Project was founded in 2005 by Chris Bradshaw and her family from Portola Valley, California. While visiting remote villages in Lesotho, a small mountainous kingdom in Southern Africa, Chris was inspired to work toward ending the cycle of poverty and illiteracy when she discovered that there was only one public library in the country. She realized the simple act of establishing libraries within schools would have a profound effect on communities as a whole.
Our Mission:
The African Library Project changes lives book by book, together with partners in Africa and North American volunteers, to create, improve, and sustain libraries in African communities.
Our Vision:
Expand opportunities by creating spaces that nurture literacy.
Why Literacy?
Literacy is an essential human right. A good quality and basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning. Literate parents are more likely to keep their children healthy and send their children to school. Literate people are able to better access other education and employment opportunities; and collectively, literate societies are better geared to meet development challenges.
Why Organize a Book Drive with the African Library Project?
• Too many children on the African continent grow up without books, while bookshelves and
landfills elsewhere overflow with books no longer read.
• In many communities we serve, young people have little to no access to reading
materials beyond textbooks (when provided).
• We serve Anglophone countries where students are tested in English for standardized
exams that are required for advancement. However, these students lack books to support
their reading development.
• Reading fosters critical thinking skills and creativity.
• Teachers in many rural areas may teach reading, writing, math, and English without a
single book to use as a resource.
How to Donate?
- Books Donation
- Fundraise for Shipping Fees
What kind of BOOKS WE COLLECT?
- A mix of children’s fiction, books with universal themes (friendship, animals, love)
- Children’s nonfiction – Scientific books for students, reference materials like dictionaries
- Children’s books teach life skills about topics such as health, hygiene, adolescents, and careers
- Books about Africa or African-Americans
- Children’s books with diverse characters